Should I get diagnosis for the sake of DS's schooling?

[Unfitmother]

DS is 10 now and has been receiving help for SEN since pre-school. He has a statement of SEN on account of his social and communication problems. Saw a peadiatrician a year ago who suggested ASD abd referred him to a psychiatrist for diagnosis. DH flipped at this, saying "over my dead body", he's very concerned about our very bright child being labbelled for the rest of his life.
We're still waiting to see the psych and have been told he won't be seen until Aug '08.
He's due to start high school in Sept and the school we've requested has an Autism support base which he won't be able to access without a diagnosis. His next review meeting is in March and he won't have seen the psych by then.
Saw the peadiatrician again today who said I could quote him as saying that DS has ASD but I know how strongly DH feels about it, though he has come round a bit!
Anyone else got a DC with ASD and how did getting an official diagnosis affect the support they received?

Thanks in advance!

[Unfitmother]

bump

[KT12]

I don't have a child with ASD but I work in the field. It might be helpful to ring the Principal Educational Psychologist and check why your DC can only be seen in Aug 08. Explain your situation. Or ask the school to call an Interim Annual Review as your DC has a Statement and ask for the Ed Psych to attend.

To diagnose or not to diagnose is a very tricky one. How is the diagnosis made in your aithority. Is there a process with multi-profesional input? As you note yourself a diagnosis may access additional resources and could give those working with your DC more information to provide more appropriate strategies to meet needs. Many authorities have specialist teachers or psychs in ASD - perhaps ask for an appointment with them and they could give more clarity to your DH on what effect a diagnosis might have.

Hope that helps....

[Peachy]

Hi, I have 2 with ASD, one with a dx one still in the assessment ssytem. Sadly August 08 sounds about right for the waiting lists we have experienced. Some agencies (and many a Paed will only dx when all agencies have contributed- which is why DS3 hasn't had a proper DX) have waiting lists of 2 years or more ime.

I personally think a X helps immensely whena ccessing reosurces, now and also later on in life, for example the national autistic society is an excellent source of help in many areas. Please don't think a DX of ASD means a child isn't bright- some kids are very inteligent indeed, others struggle immensely and most are in the middle (DS1 is very bright but cannot translate language into writing as yet- ds3 is very restricted in what he can do but seems to be displaying good early reaidng skills that we didnt expect), like all kids those with ASD vary.

Its not unusual for dads ime to go into denial. I used to work with a family where the son ahd very severe ASD- totally non verbal, no idea you were in the room etc- and dad couldn't see it even after 6 years. But most poeple do manage to come to terms with it, and a dx can help with this. A dx might also help your son should he need say to claim DLA (or if you need to) at any point.

The schools thing can be fiddly. Different palces require different criteria- ds3 can't access ASD provision here becuase he's not yet dry; can't access SALT provision becuase of the nappies and also the ASD; and can't access the general unit as he is not severe enough (the last one I agree with).

The first step is the referral so I would say gett hat ASAP. You can always change your mind whilst on the waiting list- but at elast you're on it then.

[Unfitmother]

I got on the waiting list even though DH disagreed and am still on it a year later.The paediatrician we saw today wasn't surprised. Diagnosis is only made by a Consultant Child and adolescent pyschiatrist, I have previosly asked for an interem diagnosis but school doctor said that was not possible.
He is seen in school by the autism support team and hasn't needed a Dx for that but it seems that will change when he goes to high school.

[KT12]

Unfortunately every authority assess for ASD differently. In my authority you can ask for the assessment to be fast tracked. Secondary transfer to access appropriate placement is a good enough reason.

[Unfitmother]

Believe it or not I did! The school doctor said she write to them saying that he neede to be assessed before high school, I was told last week that he wouldn't be seen before August (bit bloomin late?). Not sure what else I can do now.

[PoinsettiaBouquets]

I don't see why the label should be a life sentence. If he gets the help he needs through school, there may be no need to tell people about it (maybe best mates and serious girlfriends). If he can be helped to make a career out of what he is genuinely passionate about, he will simply be labelled an expert instead!
There's a joke about engineering depts at universities being a case of spot the one who doesn't have Aspergers. Who knows how many eccentric geniuses are on the autistic scale?